Eggbeater Loop Design

Eggbeater Loop Design

For a more omni directional antenna you might try what is known as an "eggbeater" there are commercial versions available for $110 or you can make one for about $5. the eggbeater is comprised of two fullwave loops placed perpendicular to each other and driven 90 degrees out of phase. this gives the antenna a horizontal component along the horizon and a circular component overhead.

Use a piece of pvc pipe as the mast. Make two full wave loops (length = 299.8/F (Mhz) Meters) using #12 or heavier wire. A full wave loop has a "resistance" of about 100 ohms so resonate the loop at the desired frequency by doing the following; Use a quarter wave 75 ohm matching line. Cut the loop 2 to 5 cm longer than calculated and keep pruning to resonance. Drill holes in the pvc to pass the loop (NOTE insure that the loops DO NOT touch at the top or bottom. Phasing harness..... need a 1/4 wavelength piece of 93 ohm coax length = 0.25*(velocity factor)*299.8/Freq (Mhz). Velocity factor is avaliable in most handbooks (coax is RG-62). An easy way to mount the phasing line is to take a small piece of circuit board (radio shack) and drill three holes in it and attach cable as follows. other sides of loops soldered to circuit board (ground) solder all shields to the circuit board. connect short jumpers from the circuit board to the other sides of the loops.

Based on homebrew work of W3PM (Gene Marcus)